JERSEY CITY – On Thursday, the downtown restaurant Porto Lounge will co-host a fundraiser with City Council President Rolando Lavarro Jr. and the City of Jersey City to benefit American Red Cross relief efforts in the Philippines.

Last week, the nation was hit with Typhoon Haiyan (also known as Yolanda), impacting approximately 9.5 million people. At least 1,000 deaths have already been reported thus far. Some officials in the Philippines have projected that the death toll could eventually reach 10,000 people.

Jersey City has one of the largest Filipino American and Filipino immigrant populations in the nation.

The fundraiser on Thursday will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Attendees will be asked to make donations to the American Red Cross during the fundraiser. Checks should be made payable to the American Red Cross with “Philippines Typhoon and Flood” written on the memo line. Porto Lounge will also donate a portion of the food and drink sales made during the fundraiser hours to the American Red Cross. A representative from the American Red Cross will be on hand to collect checks for the relief effort.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation but who cannot attend Thursday’s even can donate online by visiting redcross.org.

“I thank Mayor Fulop and many members of the community, including businesses like Porto Lounge, for stepping forward to help in this hour of need,” Lavarro, who is Filipino American, said in a statement. “I’m personally moved by the outpouring of support and how Jersey City is demonstrating its generous spirit.”